Director, Media Planning

About the Role

WPP Media is seeking a Director, Planning to lead integrated media strategy for Universal Pictures. This role is responsible for driving holistic, insight‑led planning across a portfolio of theatrical film releases, overseeing campaigns from strategy through execution and reporting.

You will act as a senior client partner, providing leadership across planning, activation, and investment teams, while working closely with the Group Director and US counterparts to ensure seamless delivery, innovation, and best‑in‑class media solutions.

What You’ll Do

Strategy & Client Leadership

• Lead development of holistic, film‑specific media plans aligned with Universal’s business and marketing objectives
• Partner with the Group Director to ensure strategic alignment across all titles
• Provide strong, insight‑driven POVs rooted in data, audience understanding, and communication goals
• Present media strategies, performance updates, and recommendations to senior client stakeholders
• Proactively track and share media, technology, and category trends

Campaign Oversight & Execution

• Maintain full accountability for all aspects of media plans, from strategy through execution and post‑campaign reporting
• Oversee campaign activity across all films, ensuring excellence in delivery and optimization
• Collaborate with Investment, Activation, and Performance teams to ensure best practices, market considerations, and effective budget allocation
• Manage plan changes and communicate updates clearly and promptly to Universal
• Support ad hoc initiatives including pacing, spend projections, and scenario planning

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing planning team
• Ensure clear delegation, accountability, and timely feedback
• Act as backup for the Group Director and Associate Director as needed
• Collaborate closely with US teams to ensure cross‑market alignment
• Partner with Activation and Investment leadership to drive consistent processes and ways of working

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Marketing, Business, Communications, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of media experience, with deep expertise across planning and integrated media
• Strong understanding of all major media channels, including TV, digital, social, search, OOH, and emerging platforms
• Proven ability to translate data into clear, compelling strategic recommendations
• Confident, polished communicator with strong client‑facing presence
• Experience working on entertainment or film accounts is a strong asset

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP Media is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with WPP Media, please send an e-mail to GroupM Leave Administration at Leave.Administration@groupm.com or call (212) 297-8507 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.